The List Nobody Wanted to Be On and the First Fifty Names Nevada has always had a complicated relationship with the people who built its casinos. The state wanted the tax revenue, the jobs, the tourism, and the bright lights, but it didn’t want the men who made those lights possible. At least, not in … Read more
A Complete Historical Narrative of Ownership, Construction, Mob Influence, and Legacy Few casinos in Las Vegas carry the weight of history quite like the El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Opened in 1941 and still operating today, it is the longest‑running casino in continuous operation* in Las Vegas, a living artifact from the city’s pre‑Strip era. … Read more
Moe Sedway was the quiet syndicate operator who stabilized the Flamingo after Bugsy Siegel and helped shape early Las Vegas casino management and skimming operations.
Jack Dragna from a Los Angeles Police Department Mug Shot – 1946 Jack Dragna, born Giacomo Tommaso or Ignazio Dragna in Corleone, Sicily, in 1891, was a notorious American mobster who rose to power in the early 20th century and led one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Southern California. After immigrating to the … Read more
Above: Moe Sedway enjoys a cigar with friend and casino partner Gus Greenbaum (Right) Moe Sedway was an American gangster and a close associate of the infamous mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. Born in 1894 in Ukraine, Sedway immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in New York City’s Lower East Side. … Read more
Today, Cleveland is best known as the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Clinic. Plus, their pro sports teams are the Indians, Cavaliers, and Browns. The town and its weather are harsh, face-first against the cold winter winds that constantly blow from Lake Erie. Not the most inviting atmosphere, … Read more
Wilbur Clark was a prominent figure in Las Vegas’s development, recognized for his significant contributions to the casino industry and luxurious resorts. His friendly, approachable personality made him a relatable figure, inspiring trust and confidence among visitors. Las Vegas was never perfect, but the right frontman, like Clark, helped shape its welcoming image. In the … Read more
Moe Dalitz was a prominent American businessman and organized crime figure who rose to prominence during the Prohibition era. Born on December 25, 1899, in Boston, Massachusetts, he grew up in a Jewish family and dropped out of school at 14 to work in the garment industry. However, he realized quickly he could make more … Read more
Tony Cornero (born Anthony Cornero Stralla in Northern Italy in 1899) was a leading figure in the California rum-running enterprises of the 1920s and an early Las Vegas casino owner. When his father lost the family farm in Italy due to gaming losses, young Tony vowed to be on the other side of the cards … Read more
This new book explores the roots of the Chicago mob, taking readers from its early days before Al Capone, through Prohibition and bootlegging, and finally to Las Vegas, where Chicago’s influence grew unnoticed. Discover how the Outfit’s beginnings and early leaders set the stage for its future dominance, making Las Vegas a key hub in … Read more